Author name: oisinkelly

The Department of Education has committed to carrying out improvement works at two schools in Donegal. The Department has given the go ahead for extra spend for works at Scoil Adhamhnáin, Luínnigh, Derrybeg. The funding, subject to approval, will go towards extending the GP Room, removing dampness and providing additional space. Its hoped necessary roof […]

The government is being urged to act on new powers it will have to determine VAT rates on defibrillators. MEPs, who are meeting in Strasbourg, have backed an overhaul of the VAT system across Europe. Member states will have more flexibility, in certain cases, to decide the rate applied to some products – including defibrillators,

The last few days have been the most difficult in the Brexit process, according to Fine Gael’s European Spokesperson Neale Richmond. It comes after British Prime Minister Theresa May gave a fiery speech to her Tory party at the end of their annual conference. Mrs May said she was not afraid of leaving the EU

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Wednesday October 3rd:

Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle today confronted the Taoiseach on the Government’s record on housing policy in Ireland. During Leader’s Questions in the Dail today, Deputy Pringle told Leo Varadkar that he stands in solidarity with those who took part in the ‘Raise the Roof Rally today and called for a radical change in the Government’s

The Education Minister has told the Dail that he is aware of the latest issue surrounding the Three School Campus in Buncrana. It emerged yesterday that the preferred site for the project had been sold to a third party developer, raising concern among the community in Buncrana. However, responding to a question put forward by

Donegal County Council is being urged to initiate a public consultation on a one way system for traffic and pedestrian flow in Killybegs. As part of the proposals, it’s also hoped that a possible alternative site be identified for Council staff in order to proceed with additional parking in the bridge street council yard. Local

  Serious questions are being asked of the Education Minister over the Buncrana Three School Campus debacle. It emerged yesterday that a preferred site which had been subject to negotiations for over a decade has been sold to a third party developer. While Donegal Oireachtas members have requested to meet with Minister Bruton this week

The business and employment organisation IBEC has published it’s Economic Indicators Report, which identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each county in the state. In the case of Donegal, IBEC says issues of conectivity, peripherality and broadband provision need to be addressed. IBEC says this study helps to identify the regions weaknesses, but also highlight

Donegal County Council has begun the process of selecting tenants for the Gleann Na Greine Housing scheme at Mullindrait Stranorlar. The 21 house estate was built by a private developer, and then bought by the council as a turnkey development. Stranorlar Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Patrick McGowan says the estate will be handed over to

Fianna Fail says funding to reopen the Short Stay Ward at Letterkenny University Hospital will be one of its conditions for supporting Budget 2019. A funding application of €1.8 million was submitted by hospital management last year which would reopen the ward, increasing bed capacity by 19. Lease Cheann Comhairle and Donegal Deputy Pat the

Irish Water is to write to 140 thousand homes and businesses around the country to inform users about problems with their supply. Seven of the affected areas are in Donegal. The letters will go to households who get their water from 55 ‘at risk’ public water supplies, with Irish Water stressing the water from these

A senior Health Promotion officer with the HSE says the establishment of two new community-based health and well-being hubs in Donegal is already paying dividends. Under the ‘Community Health Sync Project’, the North Donegal hub has been set up in Letterkenny, with the South Donegal one is based in Ballyshannon. The project which is being

A Greenway Development Officer has been appointed to undertake feasibility studies into the establishment of additional cross-border Greenway routes with a key focus on connectivity from Strabane to Donegal and Derry. A number of Greenway projects linking Donegal and Derry have already gone out for public consultation. However, the potential for a new Greenway along

Sinn Fein has proposed a €5 increase in social welfare payments in the party’s alternative budget. The plan includes a 5 percent levy on those earning over 140 thousand a year and a second home tax of 400 euro. Sinn Fein Finance Spokesperson and Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty says its aim is to reduce the

Main Evening News, Sport and Obituaries Tuesday October 2nd:

The Good Friday Agreement is not up for negotiation as part of Brexit, according to the Taoiseach. DUP leader Arlene Foster has said the agreement is not untouchable and could be altered to end the Brexit deadlock. She’s been accused of being reckless with the peace process for making the comments. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says

Donegal County Council has agreed to tackle what’s been described as a ‘serious hazard’ on Sweet Nellie’s Beach in Greencastle. In recent weeks, a hole about 4ft deep has emerged near the shore, creating what local Environmentalist Enda Craig described as a serious hazard. Following discussions on whose responsibility the situation is, Mr Craig says

RAP has welcomed Siptu’s decision to suspend industrial action and accept an invitation to talks. In a statement this morning, the company says it wants to identify the means to reconcile the present position and plot a future course, balancing the interests of all parties employed in Gweedore. Two months has been set aside for

Sinn Fein says comments by the DUP leader that the Good Friday Agreement isn’t sacrosanct are “reckless”. Arlene Foster has told the Telegraph newspaper that the peace treaty could be altered to accomodate a Brexit deal. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald says the Good Friday Agreement can’t be used as a “bargaining chip” in

There needs to be an emergency meeting of the Donegal Education and Training Board to discuss this morning’s revelation in the Inishowen Independent that the preferred site for the Buncrana Three Schools Campus has been sold to a third party. This has led to fears that the three schools may be delayed even more. Cllr

It’s been confirmed that TUSLA plan to fill nine vacant social worker posts in Donegal by the final quarter of 2018. It follows concern in recent week over what’s been described as a worrying lack of TUSLA services in the county. The child protection agency hadn’t appointed a social worker to the county to carry

SIPTU members in the Rapid Action Packaging plant in Gweedore, have suspended a 24-hour work stoppage which was due to commence this morning. It follows a proposal from management to enter into a talks process aimed at finding a solution to the dispute. The talks are due to take place over the two month period

Urgent clarity is being sought from the Education Minister following reports that a site identified for the three-school campus in Buncrana has been sold. It’s understood that the site, located on the outskirts of the town has been sold to a third party. Planning for the three school campus has been ongoing for over a

There are claims that housing waiting lists figures are being manipulated somewhat by Donegal County Council. In the Stranorlar Municipal District, there are currently 106 people on the Social Housing waiting list and 159 applicants accommodated with HAP assistance who have opted to remain on the Council Social Housing List. Councillor Gary Doherty has raised

The British government’s been called on to clarify its policy on the Irish border. It’s after the British Chancellor of the Exchequer said a hard border is likely in the event of a ‘No Deal’ Brexit. Philip Hammond made the comment during an event at the Tory Party Conference in Birmingham yesterday. It’s the first

  There are calls for Minister Michael Ring to increase funding for Donegal under the 2014-2020 Leader Programme. An additional €30 million has been made available nationally. However, speaking in the Dail the Minister for Community and Rural Development said the €12.9 million allocated to the Local Action Group in Donegal is sufficient as to